Restriction Compression Weighted Therapy Suit

ABSTRACT

A motion resistance suit provides adjustable musculoskeletal compression and increasing resistance over a user&#39;s full range of motion. The suit provides increasing resistance over the range of user movements through the use of a porous elastic material that allows for the body to dissipate heat and perspiration. The suit utilizes pockets located in strategic areas for the addition of weights, thereby controlling the amount of resistance felt during use. The pockets are located to allow full range of motion. Cinches are used to control the amount of compression and to create a snug fit which minimizes unwanted movement of the suit and weights. The suit consists of a shirt portion, detachable sleeves, a pants portion, and detachable pant extensions. The user is able to quickly and easily change the amount of weight and the amount of compression based on the exercises being performed and the desired effect.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Utility patentapplication Ser. No. 13/549,461, filed by this inventor on Jul. 14,2012, currently co-pending, which in turn claims the benefit of priorityto U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/508,056, filed bythis inventor on Jul. 14, 2011, currently expired and fully incorporatedherein by this reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of garments, andmore particularly to an athletic garment, made of an elastic materialwith integral pockets. The garment is designed to cover specific areasof the body and provide a continuous minimum amount of resistance tomovement with increasing resistance as body muscles move from therelaxed position to the contracted position. The pockets of the garmentcan be filled with varying amounts of weight to control the amount ofresistance applied to muscles during movement. This type of garment canleave users more able to do a variety of movements, including athletics,exercises, and manual labor.

BACKGROUND

Resistance strength training is a proven and effective method toincrease overall health, facilitate weight loss, prevent andrehabilitate motion related injuries, as well as improve strength,coordination, balance, and reaction time. The goal of resistancetraining is to gradually and progressively load the musculoskeletalsystem so as to cause muscles to respond by increasing density and mass.The object of resistance training is to use an “elastic” force, similarto a rubber band, to apply an increasing resistance to muscles as theymove from the relaxed position to the fully contracted position, as wellas “gravity” force. Since each individual has a unique and personalpattern of movement (Biomechanical DNA), it is critical that theresistance applied allows each individual to realize the highestpercentage of his or her genetic capability without altering the body'snormal biomechanics. The “elastic” force is different from “gravity”force, which is typical in exercises using free weights, in that“gravity” force is constant and does not change with the position of themuscle or weight. In addition to the increased effect of gravity on theperson, it also adds resistance to ballistic type movements, i.e. rapidstarts and stops, due to more force needed to overcome the inertia ofheavier masses. It creates the need for greater deceleration effort atthe end of a move due to the increased momentum resulting from themovement of a heavier mass.

Until now, the strength of actual specific movements, such as throwingor kicking a ball, was thought to be increased by performing unrelatedresistance movement like a bench press or a weighted squat. Athletes andpatients were taught to practice their techniques, such as running,walking, and throwing, by using the unrelated movements to increasetheir strength. As it turns out, this is neither the best nor the mostefficient way to achieve maximum strength. The best and most efficientway to achieve maximum strength is to perform any particular movement orset of movements naturally with full range of motion against progressiveresistance. Strength and technique are not trained individually, but aretrained as one to achieve maximum effectiveness. This relates to theconcept of “Specificity of Training”. This concept implies thatconditioning mirrors, to as great an extent as possible, the movementsthat occur or are expected to occur in a competitive event orrehabilitation program. Absolute specificity is difficult to achieve andrequires critical musculature to be activated at specific speeds, jointangles, and under the metabolic conditions present in competition orrehabilitation. Through the use of resistance strength training, anathlete or patient can come as close as possible to achieving absolutespecificity.

A component of resistance strength training is ProprioceptiveNeuromuscular Facilitation (PNF). PNF was developed in the 1940s and1950s to rehabilitate patients with paralysis. Since that time, the useof PNF has expanded to include recovery from physical injuries and thetraining of athletes. PNF combines elements of stretching andcontractions of muscles. The movements stimulate the golgi tendon andmuscle spindles which result in impulses being sent to the brain. Inturn, the brain sends signals back to the muscles causing them tocontract and relax. Since PNF is applied over the complete range ofmuscle motion, it encourages greater flexibility, coordination, reactiontime, joint stability, and overall muscle development. The mainadvantages of PNF are increased biomechanics, reduction in musclefatigue, and help in preventing injuries associated with overuse.Physical therapists, chiropractors, athletic trainers, and other medicalprofessionals currently use PNF.

Another factor that contributes to enhanced training is musclecompression. The most common form of muscle compression is the use of acompression garment such as stockings. Medical compression stockingshave been used in the treatment of poor venous blood flow and otherpost-surgical conditions for more than 50 years. These stockings createa controlled and graduated compressive force on the leg, where thehighest compression is at the point furthest from center body mass anddecreasing compression moving toward center body mass. In recent years,this concept has been adapted for use by athletes during and aftertraining. The benefits of using compression garments are enhancedlactate removal during and after exercise, reduced muscle oscillationsresulting from rapid starts and stops, increased endurance, decreasedlevels of Creatine Kinase, and reduced symptoms of Delayed Onset MuscleSoreness.

There have been several athletic garments heretofore made which haveused various techniques to implement a resistance suit. Someimplementations are as simple as a sleeveless vest of fixed weight, withother implementations consisting of sleeved vests and pants, both ofwhich can have weight added or removed to control the amount ofresistance. The materials used range from a non-breathable neoprene to amesh Lycra that allows ventilation to reduce body heat and perspiration.Various methods of securing the suit to the body are also used, rangingfrom hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro straps, to zippers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the invention is an athletic garment that is fabricated from abreathable elastic material such as Lycra. At strategic locationslocated on the garment, pockets are attached which allow for theaddition of weights. The location of the pockets allow for bodymovements to feel the full resistance of the weight while notinterfering or impeding range of motion. The pockets are designed tokeep the weights snug against the body to prevent unwanted movementduring body motion. The use of Lycra allows for the gradual increase inresistance as the material stretches with user movements.

The Restriction Compression Weighted Therapy Suit of the presentinvention consists of a shirt with detachable sleeves and pants withdetachable leg extensions. The shirt has a front portion that covers themajority of the lower torso and the general upper chest area. Above thechest area are shoulder straps that go over the shoulders and connect tothe rear portion. The back section covers the back area from the lowerback up to the neckline and to the outsides of the shoulder blades. Thelower back portion wraps around the sides of the torso and connects tothe front portion. The front portion contains a zipper that runsvertically from the bottom of the shirt to the top and facilitates theease with which the shirt may be put on and taken off. At strategicpoints located on the shirt are integral pockets with a flap that issecured closed using a hook and loop type system, such as Velcro,buttons, snaps, or zippers. The pockets are designed to snuggly holdweights of varying types, ranging from cylinders to flattened bars.Weights may be added or removed depending on the level of resistancedesired by the user.

The shirt is manufactured from Lycra. Lycra is an elastic material thatwill stretch to conform to the surface to which it is applied. As aresult, the Lycra will provide a compression to the body in the areas towhich it is applied. The amount of pressure applied is adjustable andcan vary due to varying sizes of the human body. To support thesevariances, a series of Velcro cinches are used at strategic points onthe shirt. After the user puts on the shirt, the Velcro cinches are usedto adjust the tightness of the suit therefore controlling the amount ofcompression felt by the muscles. As time progresses with use of thesuit, the shape of the user's body may change such that adjustments willneed to be made to maintain proper compression and fit. The use ofVelcro cinches allows for quick and easy adjustment. In situations wherethe suit will be used by more than one person, the cinches will allowfor the fit of the suit to quickly and easily be adjusted to accommodatethe needs of the current user.

Along the outside edges of the shoulder panels, heavy duty zippers areattached. The zippers allow for sleeves to be attached to the shirt. Itis to be appreciated that other methods of attachment, such as buttonsand snaps, are fully contemplated. The use of removable sleeves allowsfor a tailored amount of resistance to be supplied by the suit based onthe type of exercise to be performed and the specific needs of the user.The sleeves are constructed of the same elastic material as the vest andprovide the same compression effects. The sleeves have a top portionthat connects to the vest in the area above the shoulder. The front,back, and underarm areas are open to allow for the free movement of thearm. The sleeve encircles the arm starting at the top of the bicep andextends to the mid-forearm. Pockets are located along the sides of thearm to allow for the addition of weights. The pockets and open areas arespecifically located to allow the arm to achieve full range of motion.Cinches are located in the middle of the upper arm and the middle of theforearm. The cinches can be easily adjusted to control the amount ofcompression felt by the arm muscles.

Pants are used to provide resistance during lower body and legexercises. The pants are manufactured from Lycra and provide the samebreathability as the vest and sleeves. The pants utilize a Velcro beltthat is snuggly secured around the user's waist. The belt can easily beadjusted as the user's body shape changes or to fit different users. Thepants have a front portion that extends from the waist belt to themid-thigh. To ensure full range of motion, the back of the pants areopen, which includes the buttocks, groin areas, and the area along theback of the legs. The pants have a cinch located at mid-thigh to controlthe compression felt by the thigh muscles. Pockets are located on thefront of the pants and are located so as not to impede range of motion.

Along the bottom edge of the pants are heavy duty zippers. Pant legextensions can be attached to increase the resistance felt by the legsduring exercise. The addition of the extensions also allows for theresistance to be better distributed along the length of the leg so as toprovide more effective and comfortable motions by the user. Theextensions are manufactured Lycra and provide the same compression andresistance effects as the shirt, sleeves, and pants. The extensions havea heavy-duty zipper attached along its top that allows them to be easilyadded or removed based on the exercise needs of the user. The pantextensions extend past the knee and go to the mid-calf. Similar to thepants, the pant extensions only cover the front of the leg, leaving theback and the leg and knee free to allow for full range of motion.Pockets are located on the front of the pant extensions to allow for thequick and easy addition or removal of weights. The pant extension has acinch located at the bottom to allow for adjustable compression to beapplied to the calf.

From the moment the suit is put on, the nervous system starts to becomeprogrammed by sending impulses to the muscles telling them to “workharder”. When the suit is removed, even though the brain knows that theresistance is gone, the programmed nervous system continues to send the“work harder” impulses to the muscles. The results are the same as ifone went to lift a heavy box or suitcase, where the muscles would beprogrammed to “explode” to meet the resistance. If in fact the box orsuitcase was empty, the muscle explosion would cause it to feel evenlighter and it would move very quickly as compared to moving it whileknowing that it is actually empty.

The present invention is designed to allow the user to choose the amountof resistance and the amount of compression to be used during exercise,and to provide the user with a quick and easy method for adjusting theresistance and the compression so as not to interfere with the exerciseroutine. The shirt may be used by itself, or one may include the use ofthe sleeves. Similarly, only the pants may be used, or one may choose toinclude the pant extensions. For an exercise routine that targets theupper and lower portions of the body, a user may choose to use theshirt, sleeves, pants, and pant extensions. The resistance suit can beused during sports training to decrease the amount of time required toperform warm-up exercises, and to acclimate muscle motion and responseto a high level of resistance. When the suit is removed, the suddendecrease in resistance will be have the effect of quicker reactiontimes, more fluid movements, and an increased range of motion.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the Therapy Suitconsists of two distinct and separate portions, an upper portion and alower portion. The upper portion covers the torso, shoulders, and arms.The lower portion covers the waist, hips, and legs. The suit is madefrom a stretchable and breathable material, such as Spandex, whichallows the suit to conform to the user's body without the use of cinchstraps, which allows for an even more free and natural range of motion.Both portions of the suit have pockets that allow for the quick additionor removal of weights. Additionally, since the suit material closelyconforms to the body of the user, the suit is designed without the needfor cutouts in areas such as the underarm area of the upper portion andbehind the knee area of the lower portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention will becomemore apparent to those skilled in the art after considering thefollowing detailed description in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference numerals designate like partsthroughout, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the Restriction Compression WeightedTherapy Suit of the present invention showing a shirt portion havingarms and equipped with a plurality of weight-receiving pouches, andhaving compression belts spaced along the arms and torso, and a pantportion having two legs and equipped with a plurality ofweight-receiving pouches, and having compression belts spaced along theleg at the thigh and calf;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the Restriction Compression WeightedTherapy Suit of the present invention of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 andshowing a number of weight-receiving pouches having weights therein;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the Restriction Compression WeightedTherapy Suit of the present invention at detail 3-3 of FIG. 1 showingthe end of a sleeve having multiple weight-receiving pouches and showingthe removable nature of the weights therein;

FIG. 4 is a cut-away view of a weight of the Restriction CompressionWeighted Therapy Suit of the present invention showing a rectangularshape and containing distributed metallic components to provideincreased weight;

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of an alternative embodiment of the weightof the Restriction Compression Weighted Therapy Suit of the presentinvention showing a bag having a sealed upper and lower end and filledwith weighted substance, such as sand, gravel, steel shot, or lead; and

FIG. 6 is a front plan view of another alternative embodiment of theweight of the Restriction Compression Weighted Therapy Suit of thepresent invention showing a semi transparent bag having a sealed bottom,sides, an open top with a sealable seam to retain a weighted componenttherein.

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of an alternative embodiment of theRestriction Compression Weighted Therapy Suit of the present inventionshowing a one piece top portion and a one piece pants portion. Bothportions have closable pockets, strategically located at positions onthe outside of the suit that allows for the quick and easy installationand removal of weights. This alternative embodiment is constructed fromSpandex, or a similar stretchable and breathable material, so as to makethe suit conform and fit snug to the user body. This close fit removesthe need for cinches to control the amount of compression applied to theuser's body.

FIG. 8 is a back plan view of an alternative embodiment of theRestriction Compression Weighted Therapy Suit of the present inventionshowing a one piece shirt portion and a one piece pants portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a front plan view of the RestrictionCompression Weighted Therapy Suit of the present invention is shown andgenerally designated 100 and includes a shirt portion 102 and a pantportion 104. Shirt portion 102 includes sleeves 106, and is made with abase material 110 and formed with a zipper 112. Base material 110, in apreferred embodiment, is an expandable and breathable material, such asthose materials available under the trade names Lycra, Neoprene orSpandex.

Shirt portion 102 is equipped with a number of restrictive straps 114,116 and 118, 120. As shown, strap portion 114 overlaps correspondingstrap portion 116 and with a complementary fastening system, such asVelcro, the straps can be adjusted to provide a specific restrictive andcompression force on the body within the shirt portion. For instance, incircumstances where only a small amount of resistive and compressiveforce is needed, straps 114 and 116 may be pulled together with moderateforce. In other circumstances where a larger restrictive and compressiveforce is needed, straps 114 and 116 may be pulled together with greaterforce, thereby further restricting and compressing the body within thesuit.

The straps discussed herein are, in a preferred embodiment, rigid andnon-stretching materials such as Cordura. In other embodiments, thestraps used in the present invention may be designed to provide tensionforces thereby increasing and providing a steady compressive forcedespite the movement and/or expansion or contraction of the body withinthe suit.

The shirt portion 102 of the Restriction Compression Weighted TherapySuit of the present invention 100 includes a plurality ofweight-receiving pouches 122. Each weight-receiving pouch is capable ofreceiving and retaining therein a weight (discussed in greater detailbelow). As shown in this figure, the front of shirt portion 102 issubstantially covered with weight-receiving pouches 122. It is to befurther appreciated that additional pouches 122 may be positionedunderneath straps 114, 116 and 118, 120, as well as on the back of thevest 102.

Each sleeve 106 includes a plurality of straps 130, 132 and 134, 136which provide resistive compressive force to the wearer's arms. Eachsleeve is also equipped with a number of weight-receiving pouches 138.Each pouch 138 may be filled with one or more weighted devices.

The pant portion 104 of the Restriction Compression Weighted TherapySuit of the present invention 100 includes two legs 150 and 152, and areattached together with a cinch belt 155 so that the user can tighten thebelt 155 about the waist to avoid any downward slippage due to theweight of the pant portion 104. Each leg 150 and 152 is equipped with apair of restrictive and compressive straps 156, 158 and 160, 162 toprovide restrictive compressive forces to the thighs and calves,respectively. As with the other straps, straps 156, 158 and 160, 162 maybe tightened to provide specific restrictive and compressive forcesaccording to the specific user.

Each leg 150 and 152 are formed with a plurality of weight-receivingpouches 164 which function as discussed above. Each pouch 164 may befilled with a weight device having a greater mass than those used in theshirt portion 102, or multiple smaller weights to achieve a morestrenuous exercise. A knee cutout 170 may be formed in each leg 152 tofacilitate the bending of the leg while wearing the RestrictionCompression Weighted Therapy Suit of the present invention;

Referring now to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of the shirt portion 102of the Restriction Compression Weighted Therapy Suit 100 of the presentinvention of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 is shown. Shirt 102 is formedwith a base garment 110 and equipped with an external layer 200 that isstitched or otherwise attached to the base periodically to form variouspouches 122 having chambers 202. Each chamber 202 is sized to receive aweight device 204. As shown, external layer 200 may be made from aresilient material that allows for stretching to accommodate weightdevices having various sizes and shapes.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the Restriction Compression WeightedTherapy Suit 100 of the present invention at detail 3-3 of FIG. 1 andshows the end of a sleeve 106 having multiple weight-receiving pouches138 and showing the removable nature of the weights therein.Specifically, sleeve material 128 is covered with a pouch-forming layer208 that is attached to sleeve material 128 at seam 210, such as bystitching or adhesive. Periodical stitching 218 forms a series ofpouches 138 to receive a weight device 214. The upper end 212 of thepouch 138 is openable to receive and remove a weight device as shown bydirectional arrow 216, and thus can be changed and customized for weightneeds of different users or different workouts. Pouch 138 may be sealedat opening 212 with an adhesive or Velcro type fastener to facilitatecustomization.

FIG. 4 is a cut-away view of a weight 250 of the Restriction CompressionWeighted Therapy Suit 100 of the present invention with a generallyrectangular shaped body 252 and containing distributed metalliccomponents 254 to provide increased weight. In a preferred embodiment,weight 250 is formed with a width 256 and a height 258 to fit within thepouches of the invention. These sizes may differ according to thedesired weight, and the particular pouch size. Also, the size and ratioof metallic components 254 to body material can vary to provide weightshaving a similar size but differing weights. Also, the body materialmay, in a preferred embodiment, be a flexible polymer. Alternatively,body material may be rigid and fully encapsulate the metallic components254.

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of an alternative embodiment of the weight270 of the Restriction Compression Weighted Therapy Suit of the presentinvention showing a bag 272 having a sealed lower end 274 sealed upperend 276 to retain a weighted substance within the bag 272. In apreferred embodiment, bag 272 may be filled with virtually anything thatwill add weight to the present invention, including but not limited tosand, water, gravel, ball bearings, steel shot, lead weights, etc.

FIG. 6 is a front plan view of another alternative embodiment of theweight 280 of the Restriction Compression Weighted Therapy Suit of thepresent invention showing a bag 282 having a sealed bottom 284, sides286 and an open top 290 with a sealable seam 292 to retain a weightedcomponent therein. For instance, bag 282 may be made from asemi-transparent material, such as a polymer, and may include a weightedcomponent, such as ball bearings 288.

In use, the Restriction Compression Weighted Therapy Suit 100 of thepresent invention may be configured with each weight-receiving pouchfilled with weights to provide the most rigorous effect to the wearer.Alternatively, only a select group or localized grouping of theweight-receiving pouches may be filled with the weight devices. In thisconfiguration, certain portions of the body may be exercised more thanothers.

The various weight-receiving pouches have been shown to include a weightdevice. It is also to be appreciated that these pouches are made frommaterial that stretches, and as a result, may be populated with morethan one weight. The weights disclosed herein are not weight specific,and indeed, the weight of a weight device may vary. As a result, largerweights may be used on larger muscle groups, while smaller weights maybe used on smaller muscle groups. For instance, the legs may be equippedwith much larger weights than the arms thereby maintaining a high degreeof effectiveness in training, without the risk of damaging muscles orunder-utilizing others. A result of application of the compressiveresistive forces is that the body needs to overcome these forces and asa result expends energy and this will result in weight loss.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of an alternative embodiment of theRestriction Compression Therapy Suit and is generally designated 300.This alternative embodiment uses a form fitting and breathable material,such as Spandex, to create a form-fitting suit 300 that will provide acompressive force to the user's body (not shown). This embodimentconsists of two portions, a shirt portion 302 and a pants portion 304.The shirt portion 302 has pockets 310 strategically located in theabdominal area 305, the bicep area 306, and the forearm area 308. Thepockets 310 and 312 are designed to be closable to secure the contentsinside the pocket during use and storage. The pants portion 304 haspockets 312 located generally in the front area of the thigh 307. Thesepockets 312 are also closable to keep the contents in place during useand storage. The pants portion 304 also has a waist belt or cinch 306that allows the user to pull tight to maintain the pants portion 304 intheir proper place during use and not allow them to slide down theuser's body during use.

This alternative embodiment 300 is designed to be worn underneath auser's clothing to enable the user to benefit from increased resistanceduring the course of a normal day while engaging in normal activities,such as grocery shopping, work, or house cleaning. The user can addweight to one or more pockets 310 to allow the user to target specificareas of the body that can benefit from the increased and continuousresistance.

FIG. 8 shows a back view of an alternative embodiment of the RestrictionCompression Therapy Suit 300. The shirt portion 302 has one or morepockets located in the mid section of the back 314. The pants portion304 has one or more pockets 312 located in the calf section 309. Thesepockets 312 are also closable to prevent the content from coming outduring use and storage.

In this embodiment 300, the preferred weights 250 are flat in nature toallow for the user to wear regular clothing over the suit 300 but anytype of weight, such as a filled bag 270 or individual balls 288, thatfits inside the pocket is fully contemplated.

While there have been shown what are presently considered to bepreferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can bemade herein without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. A Restriction Compression Weighted Therapy Suit comprising:a shirt portion having a front and a back constructed from a formfitting and breathable material, and a plurality of closable pocketslocated at an abdominal area, a bicep area, a forearm area, and amidsection of the back; and a pants portion constructed from a formfitting and breathable material, a plurality of closable pockets locatedat a thigh area and a calf area, and a waist belt or cinch configured tomaintain the pants portion in the proper place during use, wherein theweighted therapy suit is further configured to provide a compressiveforce to a user's body.